News and Updates

Johnston, SC - The Edgefield County School District's (ECSD) annual spring break begins on Monday, March 30, 2026, and continues through Friday, April 10, 2026. Please be reminded that Monday, March 30, 2026, is also an eLearning makeup day for the school district following inclement weather experienced in our community on Monday, March 16, 2026.

Important eLearning Day Reminders:

- March 23: All assignments posted for students to view.

- Flexible schedule: Students work at their own pace.

- March 30: Official eLearning Day. Students do not report to the school building (unless attending intersession).

- March 30 (End of Day): eLearning assignments must be submitted by this time.

- Attendance: If work is not submitted by March 30th, your student will be counted absent for that day.

- Schools where device storage is permitted: Students may leave Chromebooks at school during Spring Break if all assignments are submitted by 3/30.

- Need help with eLearning? (March 23-27) Check your student’s eLearning template for specific instructions OR email your student’s teacher. (March 30) Please click the virtual teacher assistance links provided in a parent/guardian email to be delivered (3/27).

Spring intersession includes a Fine Arts Gifted & Talented Camp (Grades 3-6) and IGNITE Academic Intersession Programs hosted at three schools. These activities open Monday, March 30, 2026, and continue through Thursday, April 2, 2026.

Important IGNITE Program Information

- Merriwether Elementary School (MES) will host grades 3-6 for the Fine Arts Gifted & Talented Camp as well as MES and Merriwether Middle School (MMS) IGNITE Academic Intersession Program students.

- Johnston Elementary School (JES) will serve as the host school for IGNITE Academic Intersession Program students from Douglas Elementary, W.E. Parker Elementary, and Johnston Elementary.

- Strom Thurmond High School (STHS) will serve as the host school for IGNITE Academic Intersession Program students from STHS and Johnston-Edgefield-Trenton (J-E-T) Middle School.

We will welcome back students, faculty, and staff from spring break on Monday, April 13, 2026.

We hope everyone has a safe and relaxing Spring Break!

Contact the ECSD Public Information Office (PIO) by email at ecsdpio@edgefieldcountyschools.org.

Johnston, SC – Four students from Strom Thurmond High School have been selected to attend the prestigious S.C. Boys State and Girls State programs this summer.

These students (as pictured, from left to right) include John Laster, Carter Massey, Olivia O’Gorman, and Avon Webb.

The Boys State and Girls State programs are organized by the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary, respectively, and provide high school students with a hands-on experience in simulating local and state government.

During the programs, students learn about the political process, engage in civic activities, and develop leadership skills. 

Congratulations, Rebels!

Contact the ECSD Public Information Office (PIO) by email at ecsdpio@edgefieldcountyschools.org.

Johnston, SC – Members of the Edgefield County Board of Education approved the appointment of W.E. Parker Elementary School (WEP) Assistant Principal Amber Williams as the school’s principal for the 2026-27 school year during a special-called meeting held on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. Williams is in her third year of service as WEP assistant principal.

The announcement follows the February appointment of current WEP Principal Charidy Goldman as the 2026-27 principal of Merriwether Elementary School (MES). For Williams, there was never a doubt that she would pursue the opportunity to serve as the next educational leader of a school and community she loves, and of a faculty and staff she respects and adores.

“One hundred percent,” Williams said when asked if she knew she would apply. “I feel so connected with our school and our school community and our students. I’ve certainly had a great role model in Charidy, of course, and we’ve made such great progress. We’ve seen our school report card move from average to good, and I’m just excited to be able to take a lead role in continuing on that trajectory and going, you know, from good to excellent.”

Her educational background includes a Masters of Education Degree in Education Administration from the University of South Carolina, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education from the University of South Carolina Aiken. Her career in education began as a second-grade teacher in 2013, and she was named Teacher of the Year during the 2023-24 school year prior to her joining the Edgefield County School District (ECSD) as an assistant principal at WEP.

Williams says the school community at WEP is second to none, and she’s thrilled to continue the work already underway.

“We’re close, and it’s really like a family,” said Williams. “Our teachers have been so receptive and positive and open to change during the entire process because of the trust they’ve had in us. That trust is so important, and the end goal is to always do what's best for our students, which is to help them learn and grow, and, of course, it’s never a one-person show.”

In her role as an assistant principal, Williams has led several school initiatives, including serving as WEP’s 504 Coordinator, School Testing Coordinator, Textbook Coordinator, Title I Program Lead, School Improvement Council Lead, School-Based Safety Committee Lead, and School-Based Behavior Committee Lead. Additionally, Williams has earned recognition from the S.C. Association of School Administrators (SCASA) Center for Executive Education Leadership (CEEL) Assistant Principal Foundations as a Silver Strand (2024-25) and Gold Strand (2025-26) member.

She is also a proud member of the school district’s “Grow Our Own” leadership initiative, which is open to ECSD teachers and administrators. Williams has completed tiers one and two of the program, and she’s nearing completion of tier three.

“The program has definitely helped prepare me for this next step,” Williams said. “I was able to get out and experience a lot of different things, such as shadowing a principal in another grade level and being immersed in a budget meeting, which is not something assistant principals typically get to experience before becoming a principal. It was very interesting and eye-opening, and it has definitely played a big part in preparing me for this upcoming position.”

“I'm super excited about this opportunity,” she added. “Being able to continue at (W.E. Parker Elementary), take a new leadership role there, and continue to work with our teachers and watch our students learn and grow is just so exciting.”

Contact the ECSD Public Information Office (PIO) by email at ecsdpio@edgefieldcountyschools.org.

Johnston, SC – Stunning visual arts projects lined the hallway leading into the gymnasium where the combined voices of the Edgefield County School District's (ECSD) talented performing arts students were raised in celebration of art education.

The 37th Annual ECSD Fine Arts Festival held at Strom Thurmond High School (STHS) on Thursday, March 19, 2026, was a treat for the eyes and ears and the continuation of a long tradition of nearly four decades celebrating the many talents of our students.

The district's art teachers include Michele Wilson (Douglas Elementary), April Arthur (Johnston Elementary), Michael Keltz (Merriwether Elementary), Marilyn Boswell (W.E. Parker Elementary), Avis Tuttle (J-E-T Middle), Olivia Paradis (Merriwether Middle), and Travis Selman (STHS).

The district's music teachers and choral directors include Laura Herring (Douglas Elementary), Amanda Fulmer (Johnston Elementary), Victoria Fisher (Merriwether Elementary), Kayleigh Riser (W.E. Parker Elementary), Matt Herring (Merriwether Middle), Imelda Shoffner (J-E-T Middle), and Clare Henry (STHS).

Featured student performers for the evening included Baylee Brown and Gracie Anderson (DES), Allyson Hammond, Kyla Long, and Ashton Parker (JES), Emmersyn Jennings, Cali Frazier, and Kathryn Stanford (MES), Tye Shobert, Gabriella Jump, and Candace Mariano (WEP), soloist Zariah Brown and pianist Charlie Gonzalez (STHS).

Performing during evening's transitions were STHS Director of Bands Stacy Coker and the STHS Jazz Band with solo performances by Amber Bishop (Alto Saxophone), A'Zaria Butler (Trumpet), and Irvin Orjeda-Garcia (Tenor Saxophone) with assistance from Merriwether Middle Band Teacher Emma Hodge and J-E-T Middle Band Teacher Carley Baird. 

Cover art for the event’s program was designed by Merriwether Elementary School student Zoe Arellano. Student and faculty shirts were designed and provided by the students of the Strom Thurmond Career and Technology Center (STCTC).

Contact the ECSD Public Information Office (PIO) by email at ecsdpio@edgefieldcountyschools.org.

 

Rebels to Represent S.C. at National High School Mock Trial Finals Competition (May 7-9) in Des Moines, Iowa

Columbia, SC – The Strom Thurmond High School Mock Trial team completed a championship three-peat on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at the Richland County Judicial Center with its third consecutive state title, the team's seventh title within the last decade, and 12th state championship overall.

Team members include Raina Barrs, Rebecca Carpenter, Dennis Fraser, Joseph Greene, Julianne Harper, S’Mya Lovett, Carter Massey, Olivia O’Gorman, Toney Robinson, Lilly Smith, Olivia Stevens, Evan Williams, and Adelaide Zelmer. Team coaches include Lead Teacher Coach Tommy Behr, Attorney Coach Blair Massey, and Teacher Coach Ruth Bledsoe.

The Rebels now advance to the Mock Trial National Finals Competition, being held this year May 7-9 in Des Moines, Iowa.

The HSMT Program is a hands-on exercise in learning about due process. It is most often conducted as an extracurricular school activity. According to the South Carolina Bar Association, which sponsors the state competition each year, the goal of mock trial is to educate students about the basis of our American judicial system and the mechanics of litigation. Through participation in the mock trial program, students will increase basic skills such as listening, speaking, writing, reading, critical thinking and problem analysis.

The Rebels have won South Carolina Mock Trial championships in 2026, 2025, 2024, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2017, 2015, 2012, 1987, 1985 and 1984. Strom Thurmond High School was also the South Carolina state runner-up in 2014 and 2011.

Contact the ECSD Public Information Office (PIO) by email at ecsdpio@edgefieldcountyschools.org.